Papillomas on the lips are pathogenic structures in the intimate area of a woman caused by one or more genotypes of the papilloma virus. Although not all strains that cause tumors in this area are oncogenic, the disease must be treated. In such a sensitive area, even small growths can be damaged and subsequently cause a number of complications. Considering the prevalence of the disease, every woman should know what to do for papillomas on the labia, which doctor to consult and which procedures to perform. Special attention should be paid to preventive measures, because practically no one is immune to papilloma on the small lips.
Causes of papillomas on the lips
When you see papilloma on the lips, you cannot accuse the patient of immorality. Indeed, HPV is most often transmitted through intimate contact, but this is not the only possible way for pathogenic microorganisms to reach the patient. HPV is also transmitted through normal household contact or during childbirth. At this time, the carrier of the virus may not even be aware of its infection. A person with a well-functioning immune system is a carrier of the disease, but does not find unpleasant growths.
In order for the papilloma virus on the labia to begin to manifest itself in the form of the spread of pathogenic formations, a combination of several factors is necessary:
- the presence of HPV in the body;
- reduction of protective functions of the body;
- a woman's inattention to her health.
The virus, which is not in the patient's immune system, has a destructive effect on the process of cell division, causing the appearance of benign structures. If such a process is not stopped in the early stages, if the protective functions are not restored, the woman turns to the doctor not with questions about the prevention of the disease, but with a specific question about the removal of papillomas on the labia. . Decreased immunity and, accordingly, activation of the virus is facilitated by constant stress, seasonal vitamin deficiency, age-related hormonal imbalance or pregnancy.
Note!Although men are carriers of diseases, they suffer less from formations in the anogenital area. The reason for this is also the specific structure of the female genital organs, which is more sensitive to the appearance of microcracks and, accordingly, the local reduction of protective functions.
Symptoms of papillomas on the lips
Regardless of the cause of infection (violation of hygiene standards in public places or unprotected sex), it is important to determine the presence of the disease in time. In the early stages, treatment is easier and faster. To do this, it is enough to regularly check the intimate area yourself, as well as visit a gynecologist for preventive examinations.
Photos of papillomas on the lip can be easily found online and compared with the developing growth. During a self-examination or a regular visit to the doctor, the following can be detected:
- Unit combinations- small flesh-colored seals rarely exceeding 6 mm in diameter.
- Multiple structures, the formations look like a rooster's nest. Such growths are evidence of an advanced stage of the disease. If the formations are damaged during standard hygiene procedures, their color can change from flesh to dark brown.
Not all structures have a flat shape, some HPV genotypes cause formations in a thin thread.
Some symptoms that require an immediate visit to the doctor are discomfort and even pain and unusual discharge in the intimate area while performing standard hygiene procedures or sexual intercourse. Papilloma virus on the labia can first affect the secret area of the intimate area.
Self-study of papillomas on the labia and identification of similar formations does not eliminate the need to visit a doctor. Only a comprehensive diagnosis will help determine the true cause of the disease and determine the best treatment methods.
Preliminary results about papilloma on the labia can be made by a specialist during a visual examination. However, the final diagnosis is made after a series of tests that determine not only the presence of the virus in the body, but also its genotype and the concentration of active cells. A patient who has not yet developed growths in the intimate area, but is suspected of being infected with the virus, will receive a similar list of tests.
List of tests:
- blood and urine to assess general health;
- tissue biopsy for already formed growths;
- The PCR test and the Digen test are narrow-profile tests to confirm the presence of the virus in the body and determine its strain.
A woman should also visit a gynecologist, because the activation of the virus is likely to cause papillomas not only on the external labia, but also on the inside of the reproductive organs (vagina, cervix). Based on the test results and general assessment of the patient's health, therapy is prescribed.
Note!Papillomas on the labia can appear under the simultaneous influence of different virus strains, some of which are oncogenic (16, 18, 33 and others). Only a complete examination will help identify all active genotypes.
Methods of treatment of papillomas on the lips
A special feature of the treatment of papillomas on the lips is its complex nature. That is, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunostimulating drugs to activate the internal resources of the body to fight the virus (called conservative treatment), and if necessary, hardware procedures are prescribed to eliminate formations. Mild growths (single and small in size) can be treated with medication, in some cases even with combinations recommended by alternative medicine. Thus, early diagnosis makes treatment much easier.
Medicines for papillomas on the lips
The main course of internal drug treatment is aimed at improving protective functions. The body is stimulated to fight the virus from the inside. For this purpose, the following can be prescribed for papillomas on the labia:
- Antiviral drugs, prevents the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Immunomodulators, thanks to synthetic elements, helps the immune system to perform its tasks.
- Immunostimulantswhich helps the immune system function.
Note!There is no single method of medical treatment of papillomas on the labia. The doctor selects the drugs, their dosage and combinations, depending on the patient's condition, individually in each specific case.
Removal of papillomas on the lips
Numerous small formations lead to the question of how to get rid of papilloma on the labia using a surgical method. Modern medicine has a wide range of hardware procedures for destruction:
- Electric current- a rather painful but accessible method that has proven itself for many years.
- Cryodestruction— removal of formations under the influence of low temperature.
- laser— advanced technologies allow painless growth removal using high temperature.
- Radio knife- the most modern method, the removal of papillomas on the lips is carried out using directed radio waves.
Traditional surgical interventions are rarely used today if there is a risk of the formation being malignant or if its large size does not allow the papilloma to be removed by another method. Cutting with a scalpel requires a long period of rehabilitation, after which a scar may remain.
Note!All of the listed methods can be used to remove papillomas on the outer and inner labia. But taking into account the greater sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the small lips, it is preferable to choose a laser or radio knife to destroy it in this place.
Traditional medicine against papillomas on the lips
When treating papillomas on the lips with folk recipes, you must follow a number of rules:
- Compositions should be prepared immediately before application to the growth, unless specifically indicated in the recipe;
- Do not exceed the prescribed dose;
- If a burning sensation appears while using the product, if the papilloma begins to grow or deform, you should stop self-medicating and consult a doctor;
- If the papilloma does not go away within the specified time, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
The most popular folk recipes for papilloma on the labia are also the simplest. It is recommended to lubricate the growth with celandine or Kalanchoe juice twice a day. After 2-3 weeks, papillomas can be expected to disappear.
Another equally popular recipe is compresses made from finely chopped potatoes. Only red potato tubers are suitable for treatment. The compress should be replaced with a new one every 12 hours. The procedure is repeated for at least 30 days.
It is important!The difficulty in calculating the concentration of the drug is the reason why most doctors do not support the treatment of papillomas on the labia using traditional medical methods. An increased dose of the active substance can cause irritation of adjacent healthy tissues.
Preventive measures against papillomas on the lips
The appearance of growths in the intimate area is prevented by vaccination against human papillomavirus. Such vaccinations are not mandatory in post-Soviet countries, but can be administered to teenagers at the request of their parents. Vaccinations are recommended for girls between the ages of 9 and 15, that is, before they become sexually active.
Also, preventive measures against papilloma on the labia:
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- rejection of bad habits, immorality;
- proper nutrition and moderate exercise;
- preventive examinations by doctors;
- refusal to self-treat papillomas in other parts of the body.
The appearance of papillomas on the labia indicates not only the presence of a virus in the body, but also systemic failures (reduced immunity, local inflammation or various diseases). Such signals should never be ignored. It is necessary to remove papillomas on the labia in the early stages, to prevent their secondary infection or oncological transformation. Fortunately, modern medicine makes it possible to remove unpleasant growths quickly and almost painlessly.